Backup power management for computing systems

ABSTRACT

Various techniques for managing power backup for computing devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data representing a backup capacity of one or more backup power units and data representing a backup power profile of one or more processing units sharing the one or more backup power units. A portion of the backup capacity may then be assigned to each of the one or more processing units based at least in part on both the received data representing the backup capacity of the one or more backup power units and the received data representing the profile of the one or more processing units.

BACKGROUND

Modern computing systems can include multiple servers, input/outputunits, routers, switches, and other processing units supported by autility infrastructure. The utility infrastructure can includetransformers, rectifiers, voltage regulators, circuit breakers,substations, power distribution units, fans, cooling towers, and/orother electrical/mechanical components. For system reliability, theutility infrastructure can also include uninterrupted power supplies,batteries, generators, auxiliary electrical lines, and/or other backuppower units.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In certain computing systems, multiple servers, input/output units,routers, switches, and/or other types of processing units may share abackup power system having a pool of uninterrupted power supplies,batteries, generators, auxiliary electrical lines, and/or other backuppower units. The backup power system is typically configured tosimultaneously power all of the processing units during a power failureand/or in response to some other system events. Thus, the multipleprocessing units do not have a direct connection with or an awareness ofa particular one or more of the backup power units. As a result, theprocessing units may not be configured to perform task prioritization,processor speed modifications, power cycling, and/or other operationalcustomizations based on one or more characteristics and/or conditions ofthe shared backup power units.

Several embodiments of the present technology can address at least someof the foregoing difficulties by assigning a portion of the backupcapacity of the backup power system to individual processing units.Power consumption of the individual processing units from the pool ofbackup power units can then be controlled based on the assigned portionof the total backup capacity. The individual processing units are eachassociated with a “virtual” backup power unit having the assignedportion of the total backup capacity. Based on such assignments, theindividual processing units may perform various operationalcustomizations to improve computing performance, increase powerefficiencies, or lower capital investments over conventional computingsystems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a computing framework havinga backup power management controller in accordance with embodiments ofthe present technology.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing software modules of certaincomponents of the computing framework of FIG. 1A in accordance withembodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of backup powermanagement in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating embodiments of a process ofoperating a processing unit based on an assigned backup capacity inaccordance with embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a computing systemhaving a backup power management controller in accordance withadditional embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 5 is a computing device suitable for certain components of thecomputing framework in FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments of systems, devices, components, modules, routines,and processes for backup power management are described below. In thefollowing description, example software codes, values, and otherspecific details are included to provide a thorough understanding ofcertain embodiments of the present technology. A person skilled in therelevant art will also understand that the technology may haveadditional embodiments. The technology may also be practiced withoutseveral of the details of the embodiments described below with referenceto FIGS. 1A-5.

As used herein, the term “backup power unit” generally refers to anelectrical apparatus that provides electrical power to a load when amain power source of the load is unavailable. Examples of backup powerunits can include batteries, uninterruptible power supplies, generators(e.g., diesel, natural gas, wave, or wind generators), and auxiliaryelectrical lines. A plurality of backup power units may be pooled (e.g.,electrically connected in series and/or in parallel) as a backup powersystem. An aggregate, overall, or total backup capacity (referred toherein as “backup capacity”) of the backup power system may be definedby a backup power rating (e.g., in kilowatts), a backup energy rating(e.g., in kilowatt-hours), a backup period (e.g., hours, minutes, orseconds), and/or other suitable parameters.

Also used herein, the term “processing unit” generally refers to anelectronic apparatus configured to perform logic comparisons, arithmeticcalculations, electronic communications, electronic input/output, and/orother functions. Examples of processing units can include computingsystems (e.g., servers, computers, etc.), devices (e.g., logicprocessors, network routers, network switches, network interface cards,data storage devices, etc.), or other suitable types of electronicapparatus. A processing unit can have a backup power profile defined byat least one of a peak power consumption (e.g., in kilowatts), anaverage power consumption (e.g., in kilowatts), a backup energyrequirement (e.g., in kilowatt-hours), a backup power duration (e.g., inhours, minutes, or seconds), and/or other suitable parameters.

A group of processing units may share a backup power system having apool of various types of backup power units. Each of the processingunits, however, typically does not have a direct connection with or evenan awareness of one or more of the backup power units in the pool.Instead, the backup power system is configured to power all of theprocessing units simultaneously. As a result, the individual processingunits may not be configured to perform task prioritization, processorspeed modifications, power cycles, and/or other operationalcustomizations based on one or more characteristics and/or conditions ofthe shared backup power units. Several embodiments of the presenttechnology can address at least some of the foregoing difficulties byassigning a portion of the backup capacity of the pool of backup powerunits to the individual processing units. Thus, operationalcustomizations of the individual processing units may be enabled, asdiscussed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 1A-5.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a computing framework 100having backup power management in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology. As shown in FIG. 1A, the computing framework 100 caninclude a computing system 101 a, a utility infrastructure 101 b thatsupports the computing system 101 a, and a backup power managementcontroller 114 in communication with both the computing system 101 a andthe utility infrastructure 101 b. Even though certain components of thecomputing framework 100 are shown in FIG. 1A, in other embodiments, thecomputing framework 100 may also include other suitableelectrical/mechanical components in similar or different arrangements,an example of which is described below with reference to FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the computing system 101 a can include multipleprocessing units 104 contained in computer cabinets 102 (illustratedindividually as first and second computer cabinets 102 a and 102 b,respectively) and coupled to a network 108. The computer cabinets 102can have any suitable shape and size to house the processing units 104in racks and/or in other suitable arrangements. Though only two computercabinets 102 are shown in FIG. 1A, in other embodiments, the computingsystem 101 a can include one, three, four, or any other suitable numberof computer cabinets 102 and/or other types of housing components.

The network 108 can include a wired medium (e.g., twisted pair, coaxial,untwisted pair, or optic fiber), a wireless medium (e.g., terrestrialmicrowave, cellular systems, WI-FI, wireless LANs, Bluetooth, infrared,near field communication, ultra-wide band, or free space optics), or acombination of wired and wireless media. The network 108 may operateaccording to Ethernet, token ring, asynchronous transfer mode, and/orother suitable protocols. In further embodiments, the network 108 canalso include routers, switches, modems, and/or other suitablecomputing/communications components in any suitable arrangements.

The processing units 104 can be configured to implement one or morecomputing applications, network communications, input/outputcapabilities, and/or other suitable functionalities. In certainembodiments, the processing units 104 can include web servers,application servers, database servers, and/or other suitable computingcomponents. In other embodiments, the processing units can includerouters, network switches, analog/digital input/output modules, modems,and/or other suitable electronic components. FIG. 1A shows fourprocessing units 104 in each computer cabinet 102. In other embodiments,one, two, three, five, or any other suitable number of processing units104 may be in each computing cabinet 102.

In the illustrated embodiment, the utility infrastructure 101 b includesa main power source 107 (e.g., an electrical grid) configured to providepower to the processing units 104 during normal operation. The utilityinfrastructure 101 b also includes a backup power system 116 configuredto provide power to the processing units 104 when the main power source107 is unavailable. Utility interfaces 106 (illustrated individually asfirst and second utility interfaces 106 a and 106 b, respectively)operatively couple the main power source 107 and/or the backup powersystem 116 to the processing units 104. The components of the utilityinfrastructure 101 b shown in FIG. 1A are examples for illustratingaspects of the present technology. In other embodiments, the utilityinfrastructure 101 b may include HVAC systems, substations, and/or othercomponents in other suitable arrangements.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the first and second utility interfaces 106 a and106 b are associated with the first and second computer cabinets 102 aand 102 b, respectively. The utility interfaces 106 can be configured toconvert, condition, distribute, and/or switch power, to monitor forelectrical faults, or to otherwise interface with components of theutility infrastructure 101 b. For example, in one embodiment, theutility interfaces 106 can include a power distribution unit configuredto receive power from the main power source 107 or the backup powersystem 116 and distribute power to the individual processing units 104.In other embodiments, the utility interfaces 106 can include a powerconversion unit (e.g., a transformer), a power conditioning unit (e.g.,a rectifier, a filter, etc.), a power switching unit (e.g., an automatictransfer switch), a power protection unit (e.g., a surge protectioncircuit or a circuit breaker), and/or other suitableelectrical/mechanical components that support operation of theprocessing units 104.

The backup power system 116 can be configured to provide temporaryand/or emergency backup power to the processing units 104 when the mainpower source 107 is unavailable. The backup power system 116 can includea pool of backup power units 117. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, the backup power system 116 includes two uninterrupted powersupplies 118 and a generator 120 coupled to both the first and secondutility interfaces 106 a and 106 b. In other embodiments, the backuppower system 116 may include additional and/or different components inother suitable arrangements.

During normal operation, the utility interfaces 106 receive electricalpower from the main power source 107 and convert, condition, and/ordistribute power to the individual processing units 104 in respectivecomputer cabinets 102. The utility interfaces 106 also monitor for andprotect the processing units 104 from power surges, voltage fluctuation,and/or other undesirable power conditions. In response to a failure ofthe main power source 107, the utility interfaces 106 can switch powersupply to the backup power system 116 and provide power to theindividual processing units 104 in the computer cabinets 102. As aresult, the processing units 104 may continue to operate for a period oftime even when the main power source 107 is unavailable.

In conventional computer systems, the processing units 104 are typicallynot connected to or aware of the uninterrupted power supplies 118 or thegenerator 120 of the backup power system 116. Instead, the backup powersystem 116 powers all of the processing units 104 simultaneously. Thus,the individual processing units 104 may lack backup power information tocustomize operations when the main power source 107 is unavailable.Thus, to achieve a target level of backup operating period, a largeamount of backup capacity may be required with associated costs andmaintenance requirements.

In certain embodiments of the present technology, the backup powermanagement controller 114 can be configured to assign a portion of thebackup capacity of the backup power system 116 to the individualprocessing units 104 as if the individual processing units 104 areconnected to or associated with a “virtual” backup power unit having theassigned portion of the backup capacity. In the illustrated embodiments,the backup power management controller 114 resides on a standalonecomputing device. In other embodiments, the backup power managementcontroller 114 can also include one of the processing units 104 or asoftware service running thereon. In further embodiments, the backuppower management controller 114 can also be a component of the utilityinterfaces 106 or a chassis controller (not shown) residing on chassisin the computer cabinets 102. By customizing operations of theprocessing units 104 based on corresponding assigned portions of thebackup capacity, the total amount of the backup capacity in the utilityinfrastructure 101 b may be reduced when compared to conventionaltechniques, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing software modules of certaincomponents of the computing framework 100 in FIG. 1A in accordance withembodiments of the present technology. As shown in FIG. 1B, the backuppower management controller 114 is operatively coupled to the backuppower system 116, the processing unit 104, and an optional database 125(shown in phantom lines for clarity). The optional database 125 mayreside locally, for example, in one of the processing units 104 shown inFIG. 1A, or may reside remotely and be accessible via a network (e.g.,the network 108). Only one processing unit 104 and associated softwaremodules are shown in details in FIG. 1B for clarity purposes. Additionalprocessing units 104 may include similar or different software modulesas those illustrated in FIG. 1B.

In FIGS. 1B and 1 n other Figures herein, individual software modules,components, and routines may be a computer program, procedure, orprocess written as source code in C, C++, Java, and/or other suitableprogramming languages. The computer programs, procedures, or processesmay be compiled into intermediate, object or machine code and presentedfor execution by a processor of a personal computer, a network server, alaptop computer, a smart phone, a tablet, and/or other suitablecomputing devices. Various implementations of the source, intermediate,and/or object code and associated data may be stored in one or morecomputer readable storage media that include read-only memory,random-access memory, magnetic disk storage media, optical storagemedia, flash memory devices, and/or other suitable media. As usedherein, the term “computer readable storage medium” excludes propagatedsignals, per se.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the backup power management controller 114 is incommunication with the processing units 104 and the backup power system116 to monitor and/or control operations thereof. In the illustratedembodiment, the backup power management controller 114 includes a backupcapacity module 122, a backup profile module 124, a backup allocationmodule 126, and a backup control module 128 operatively coupled to oneanother.

The backup power system 116 includes a backup power interface 132configured to facilitate communications between the individual backuppower units 117 (FIG. 1A) and the backup power management controller114. In one embodiment, the backup power interface 132 may be configuredto facilitate communications for a group of or all of the backup powerunits 117. In other embodiments, the backup power interface 132 mayrepresent a collection of backup power interfaces (not shown) eachcorresponding to one of the backup power units 117.

The individual processing units 104 include a backup unit agent 142having a virtual sensor 143, a backup power driver 144, and an operationcontroller 146 operatively coupled to one another. The foregoingsoftware modules may be a part of an operating system, a standaloneapplication, an add-in to an application, or a combination thereof. Inother embodiments, the foregoing components of the processing units 104may include input/output, database, or other additional and/or differenttypes of software modules. The functions and interoperation of thesoftware modules illustrated in FIG. 1B are described in more detailbelow.

The backup capacity module 122 can be configured to determine orestimate the backup capacity of the backup power system 116. In certainembodiments, the backup capacity module 122 can be configured todirectly query the backup capacity from the backup power system 116, forexample, via the backup power interface 132 following the powermanagement bus (“PMBus”) protocol or other suitable types of protocol.In other embodiments, the backup capacity module 122 may includefacilities that measure, test, interrogate, and/or otherwise obtainindividual backup capacities of the backup power units 117. For example,the backup capacity module 122 may include facilities that test (e.g.,by a voltage of) each of the uninterrupted power supplies 118 (FIG. 1A)or the generator 120 (FIG. 1A) and estimate the individual backupcapacities based on calibration data, formulas, lookup table, and/orother suitable information. The backup capacity module 122 may thencombine the individual backup capacities to derive the overall backupcapacity.

In certain embodiments, the backup capacity module 122 may also beconfigured to monitor for an addition, a modification, a removal, orother changes in the configuration and/or status of one or more of thebackup power units 117 (FIG. 1A). For example, the backup capacitymodule 122 can be configured to periodically scan for a count, type,and/or status of the backup power units 117 and compare the scanningresults to previous records. In other embodiments, the backup powersystem 116 may report any such changes to the backup capacity module 122periodically or when a change occurs. In response to a detected change,the backup power management controller 114 may re-assign portions of thebackup capacity to the individual processing units 104 and/or performother suitable actions, as discussed in more detail below.

The backup profile module 124 can be configured to query and/orotherwise obtain data representing the backup power profiles from theprocessing units 104 sharing the backup power system 116. For example,in certain embodiments, the backup profile module 124 can identify atleast one of a type, a class, a model, a serial number, a prioritylevel, or other characteristics of the processing unit 104 by queryingthe backup unit agent 142. The backup profile module 124 can then derivea backup power profile based the identified characteristics of theprocessing unit 104 and the corresponding backup power profile data 127in the optional database 125. For example, the backup power managementcontroller 114 may identify the processing unit 104 as a server of aparticular type (e.g., a web server). Based on such information, thebackup profile module 124 may search the database for a correspondingrecord of the backup power profile data 127 and determine that theprocessing unit 104 has a particular peak power consumption level, abackup energy requirement, or other suitable backup powercharacteristics. In other embodiments, the backup profile module 124 mayobtain such backup power characteristics directly from the backup unitagent 142 of the processing units 104 via, for example, an intelligentplatform management interface (“IPMI”) and/or other suitable types ofinterface.

The backup allocation module 126 can be configured to assign a portionof the backup capacity received from the backup capacity module 122 tothe individual processing units 104 based on the backup power profilesreceived from the backup profile module 124. For example, in oneembodiment, a first portion may be assigned to a processing unit 104that is a server with a higher backup power rating than a second portionassigned to another processing unit 104 that is a router or networkswitch. In another example, the first portion may have a higher backupenergy rating than the second portion, In a further example, the secondportion may have a longer backup period than the first portion.

In certain embodiments, the backup allocation module 126 can beconfigured to assign an equal portion of the backup capacity to aparticular type or class of processing units 104. For example, allprocessing units 104 that are servers can be assigned the same amount ofthe backup capacity. In other embodiments, the backup allocation module126 can be configured to assign different amounts of backup capacity toa particular type or class of processing units 104 based on prioritylevels, implemented applications, latency requirements, currentoperating status, and/or other suitable parameters. For example, alarger portion of the backup capacity may be assigned to a processingunit 104 that is a server hosting a search engine than another that isimplementing data backup/restore.

In certain embodiments, the backup allocation module 126 can beconfigured to assign 100% of the backup capacity to the processing units104, for example, by iteratively calculating an amount of backupcapacity for each processing unit 104 until a sum of all the assignedportions is 100% of the backup capacity. In other embodiments, thebackup allocation module 126 can be configured to assign apre-determined amount of backup capacity to each type of the individualprocessing units 104 (e.g., servers). In further embodiments, the backupallocation module 126 can be configured to assign a pre-determined orcalculated amount of backup capacity to the processing units 104 whilemaintaining a target level (e.g., 10%) of reserve backup capacity. Inyet further embodiments, the backup allocation module 126 can beconfigured to assign more than 100% of the backup capacity (e.g., basedon a load factor, a utilization factor or other suitable factors) orassign the backup capacity in any other suitable manners.

In further embodiments, the backup allocation module 126 can beconfigured to continuously or periodically monitor for a change in atleast one of (1) the backup capacity received from the backup capacitymodule 122 or (2) the power backup profiles received from the backupprofile module 124. In response to a detected change, the backupallocation module 126 can be configured to update the assigned portionsof the backup capacity. For example, the backup allocation module 126may detect that:

-   -   One or more backup power units 117 are added to or removed from        the backup power system 116;    -   One or more processing units 104 are added to or removed from        respective computer cabinets 102; and/or    -   One or more of the processing units 104 have a different type,        class, model, serial number, priority level, or other        characteristics.        In response, the backup allocation module 126 may adjust the        portions of the backup capacity assigned to the processing units        104, respectively, as follows:    -   Increasing (or decreasing) portions of the backup capacity based        on a new backup capacity as a result of the addition (or        removal) of backup power units 117;    -   Re-distribute the backup capacity to the processing units 104        currently residing in the computer cabinets 102; and/or    -   Re-assigning a portion of the backup capacity to the one or more        processing units 104 with the different characteristics.

The backup allocation module 126 can also be configured to communicatethe assigned portions of the backup capacity to the individualprocessing units 104 via the network 108, a backplane bus (not shown),and/or other suitable communication channels. The individual processingunits 104 may then detect and/or recognize the assigned portions of thebackup capacity as if the processing units 104 are each connected to a“virtual” backup power unit with the assigned portion of the backupcapacity. For example, in certain embodiments, the virtual sensor 143may include a designated memory space (e.g., a register) configured toreceive and store data representing the assigned portions of the backupcapacity. The backup power driver 144 may then retrieve the written datafrom the virtual sensor 143 via local procedure call (“LPC”) interfaceand/or other suitable interfaces. The backup power driver 144 can thensupply data representing the backup capacity of the “virtual” backuppower unit to the operation controller 146 for adjusting or optimizingoperations of the individual processing units 104 according touser/application-level policies related to the backup capacity. In otherembodiments, data representing the assigned portions of the backupcapacity may be communicated to the processing units 104 as electronicmessages and/or other suitable mechanisms.

During a failure of the main power source 107, the backup control module128 may control the amount of power supplied to the processing units 104from the backup power system 116 based on the portions of the backupcapacity assigned to the processing units 104. For example, the backupcontrol module 128 may limit a peak power, a backup energy consumption,a backup period, and/or otherwise regulate the power provided to theprocessing units 104 by manipulating the utility interfaces 106 (FIG.1A) or other suitable power control circuits. As power is drawn from thebackup power system 116, the backup power management controller 114 maycontinuously or periodically update a remaining amount of the assignedportions of the backup capacity to the processing units 104.

Based on the assigned and/or remaining portion of the backup capacity,the operation controller 146 of the individual processing units 104 canadjust at least one operating characteristics in the event that the mainpower source 107 is unavailable. For example, the operation controller146 may adjust a clock frequency of a processor of a processing unit 104when a remaining portion of the backup capacity is below a threshold. Inanother example, a processing unit 104 may adjust a status of acceptabletask assignments (e.g., to “not available to accept furtherassignments”) to the processing unit 104 when the remaining portion ofthe backup capacity is below another threshold. In further examples, theoperation controller 146 may also initiate a shutdown sequence, commitcached data to the memory, or power off the processing units when theremaining portion of the backup capacity is below respective thresholds.As a result, the processing units 104 may be configured to customizeoperations to improve computing performance and/or power efficienciesover conventional computing systems.

Optionally, in certain embodiments, the individual processing units 104can be configured to further assign a fraction of the portion of thebackup capacity to components or sub-components of the processing units104. For example, a processing unit 104 may assign a fraction of thebackup capacity of the “virtual” backup power unit to a processor, amemory, a persistent storage device (e.g., solid state drives andnon-volatile dual in-line memory modules), and/or other suitablecomponents. As a result, the processor, memory, or persistent storagedevice may not require a built-in backup power source, and thus reducingequipment costs.

In certain embodiments, the operation controller 146 of a processingunit 104 may send a request to the backup power management controller114 for an adjustment of the assigned portion of the backup capacityeither during normal operation or in the event that the main powersource 107 is unavailable. For example, in one embodiment, a processingunit 104 may contain data representing a user-selected and/or otherwisedetermined backup capacity requirement. The operation controller 146 canthen determine if the assign portion of the backup capacity is above thebackup capacity requirement. In response to determining that theassigned portion is below the backup capacity requirement, theprocessing unit 104 may send a request to the backup power managementcontroller 114 for an adjustment. The backup power management controller114 may then assign an adjusted portion of the backup capacity to therequesting processing unit 104.

In another example, during a failure of the main power source 107, theoperation controller 146 may determine that the remaining portion of thebackup capacity is insufficient to complete certain tasks (e.g.,committing cached data to persistent memory, performing normal shutdownprocedure, etc.). In response, the operation controller 146 may requestan additional assigned portion of the backup capacity. The backup powermanagement controller 114 may then assign additional backup capacity tothe processing unit 104 by, for example, adjusting portions of thebackup capacity assigned to other processing units 104 or assigning atleast part of the backup capacity reserve. Alternatively, the backuppower management controller 114 may refuse the request, and in response,the operation controller 146 may initiate an immediate shutdown and/orperform other suitable operations. In yet another alternative, thebackup power management controller 114 may cause the tasks of therequesting processing unit 104 to be transferred to another processingunit 114 with a sufficient amount of an assigned portion of the backupcapacity, for example, via load migration, virtual machine migration, orother suitable techniques.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 200 of backup powermanagement in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.Even though the process 200 is described below with reference to thecomputing framework 100 of FIG. 1A and the components/modules of FIG.1B, the process 200 may also be applied in other systems with additionalor different hardware and/or software components.

As shown in FIG. 2, the process 200 can include receiving a backupcapacity of a backup power system having one or more backup power unitsand one or more backup power profiles from one or more processing unitsthat share the backup power system at stage 202. In one embodiment, thebackup capacity may be directly queried from the backup power system. Inanother embodiment, the backup capacity may be derived by (1) querying,testing, or measuring individual backup power units for an individualbackup capacity; and (2) combining the individual backup capacities intoan overall backup capacity.

The process 200 can also include assigning a portion of the backupcapacity of the backup power system as virtualized backup capacity tothe individual processing units at stage 204, as described above withreference to FIG. 1B. As a result, the processing units can operate asif being individually connected to a “virtual” backup power unit thathas the virtualized backup capacity (i.e., the assigned portion of thebackup capacity). The assigned virtualized backup capacity can then becommunicated to the processing units at stage 206. The individualprocessing units can then perform various operational optimization basedon a status of the “virtual” backup power unit, as described in moredetail below with reference to FIG. 3.

The process 200 also includes controlling a backup power consumption ofthe individual processing units based on a corresponding assignedportion of the backup capacity at stage 208. Example techniques forcontrolling the backup power consumption are described above withreference to FIG. 1B. As a result, in the event that a main power sourceto the processing units fails, the processing units can continue tooperate by drawing power from the corresponding “virtual” backup powerunit.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating embodiments of a process 300 ofoperating a processing unit based on an assigned backup capacity inaccordance with embodiments of the present technology. As shown in FIG.3, the process 300 can include receiving data representing an assignedbackup capacity at stage 302. The assigned backup capacity can be aportion of a total backup capacity of a backup power system thatincludes one or more backup power units shared by a plurality ofprocessing units. In one embodiment, the assigned backup capacity may bereceived as a “virtual” sensor reading, as described above withreference to FIG. 1B. In other embodiments, the assigned backup capacitymay be received as electronic messages and/or in other suitable manners.

The process 300 can also include a decision stage 304 to determine ifthe assigned backup capacity is above a threshold. In response todetermining that the assigned backup capacity is above the threshold,the process 300 continues to adjusting operation of the processing unitbased on the assigned backup capacity at stage 308. Examples ofadjustments are described above with reference to FIG. 1B. Optionally,in certain embodiments, the process 300 can also include furtherassigning a fraction of the assigned backup capacity to components orsubcomponents of the processing units 104 at stage 310. In otherembodiments, the operation at stage 310 may be omitted. In response todetermining that the assigned backup capacity is not above thethreshold, the process 300 proceeds to requesting an adjustment of theassigned backup capacity at stage 306. The process 300 then reverts toreceiving an assigned backpack capacity at stage 302.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating another computingframework 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.The computing framework 100 in FIG. 4 can be generally similar instructure and function as that in FIG. 1A except that a single utilityinterface 106 is associated with both the first and second computercabinet 102 a and 102 b. Even though not shown in FIG. 4, the utilityinfrastructure 101 b may have other suitable configurations.

FIG. 5 is a computing device 500 suitable for certain components of thecomputing framework 100 in FIG. 1A. For example, the computing device500 may be suitable for the individual processing units 104, the backuppower management controller 114, or the backup power systems 116. In avery basic configuration 502, computing device 500 typically includesone or more processors 504 and a system memory 506. A memory bus 508 maybe used for communicating between processor 504 and system memory 506.

Depending on the desired configuration, the processor 504 may be of anytype including but not limited to a microprocessor (μP), amicrocontroller (μC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or anycombination thereof. The processor 504 may include one more levels ofcaching, such as a level one cache 510 and a level two cache 512, aprocessor core 514, and registers 516. An example processor core 514 mayinclude an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a floating point unit (FPU), adigital signal processing core (DSP Core), or any combination thereof.An example memory controller 518 may also be used with processor 504, orin some implementations memory controller 518 may be an internal part ofprocessor 504.

Depending on the desired configuration, the system memory 506 may be ofany type including but not limited to volatile memory (such as RAM),non-volatile memory (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) or any combinationthereof. The system memory 506 may include an operating system 520, oneor more applications 522, and program data 524. The application 522 (orthe operating system 520) may include, for example, the operationcontroller 146. This described basic configuration 502 is illustrated inFIG. 5 by those components within the inner dashed line.

The computing device 500 may have additional features or functionality,and additional interfaces to facilitate communications between basicconfiguration 502 and any other devices and interfaces. For example, abus/interface controller 530 may be used to facilitate communicationsbetween the basic configuration 502 and one or more data storage devices532 via a storage interface bus 534. The data storage devices 532 may beremovable storage devices 536, non-removable storage devices 538, or acombination thereof. Examples of removable storage and non-removablestorage devices include magnetic disk devices such as flexible diskdrives and hard-disk drives (HDD), optical disk drives such as compactdisk (CD) drives or digital versatile disk (DVD) drives, solid statedrives (SSD), and tape drives to name a few. Example computer storagemedia may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removablemedia implemented in any method or technology for storage ofinformation, such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data.

The system memory 506, removable storage devices 536 and non-removablestorage devices 538 are examples of computer storage media. Computerstorage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich may be used to store the desired information and which may beaccessed by computing device 500. Any such computer storage media may bepart of computing device 500. The term “computer storage medium”excludes propagated signals and communication media.

The computing device 500 may also include an interface bus 540 forfacilitating communication from various interface devices (e.g., outputdevices 542, peripheral interfaces 544, and communication devices 546)to the basic configuration 502 via bus/interface controller 530. Exampleoutput devices 542 include a graphics processing unit 548 and an audioprocessing unit 550, which may be configured to communicate to variousexternal devices such as a display or speakers via one or more NV ports552. Example peripheral interfaces 544 include a serial interfacecontroller 554 or a parallel interface controller 556, which may beconfigured to communicate with external devices such as input devices(e.g., keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device,etc.) or other peripheral devices (e.g., printer, scanner, etc.) via oneor more I/O ports 558. An example communication device 546 includes anetwork controller 560, which may be arranged to facilitatecommunications with one or more other computing devices 562 over anetwork communication link via one or more communication ports 564.

The network communication link may be one example of a communicationmedia. Communication media may typically be embodied by computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other datain a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and may include any information delivery media. A “modulateddata signal” may be a signal that has one or more of its characteristicsset or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal.By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may includewired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, andwireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), microwave,infrared (IR) and other wireless media. The term computer readable mediaas used herein may include both storage media and communication media.

The computing device 500 may be implemented as a portion of a small-formfactor portable (or mobile) electronic device such as a cell phone, apersonal data assistant (PDA), a personal media player device, awireless web-watch device, a personal headset device, an applicationspecific device, or a hybrid device that include any of the abovefunctions. The computing device 500 may also be implemented as apersonal computer including both laptop computer and non-laptop computerconfigurations.

Specific embodiments of the technology have been described above forpurposes of illustration. However, various modifications may be madewithout deviating from the foregoing disclosure. In addition, many ofthe elements of one embodiment may be combined with other embodiments inaddition to or in lieu of the elements of the other embodiments.Accordingly, the technology is not limited except as by the appendedclaims.

I/We claim:
 1. A method performed by a computer having a computingprocessor, the method comprising: with the computing processor,receiving data representing a backup capacity of one or more backuppower units and data representing a backup power profile of one or moreprocessing units sharing the one or more backup power units; assigning aportion of the backup capacity of the one or more backup power units toeach of the one or more processing units based at least in part on boththe received data representing the backup capacity of the one or morebackup power units and the received data representing the profile of theone or more processing units; and communicating the assigned portions ofthe backup capacity to the one or more processing units as if the one ormore processing units are individually connected to a backup power unithaving the assigned portion of the backup capacity of the one or morebackup power units.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the backup capacityof the one or more backup power units includes at least one of a backuppower rating or a backup energy rating.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereinthe backup capacity of the one or more backup power units includes atleast one of a backup power rating or a backup energy rating, andwherein the backup power profile includes at least one of a peak powerconsumption or a backup energy requirement of the one or more processingunits.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein: the backup capacity of the oneor more backup power units includes at least one of a backup powerrating or a backup energy rating; the backup power profile includes atleast one of a peak power consumption or a backup energy requirement ofthe one or more processing units; and assigning the portion of thebackup capacity includes assigning a portion of the backup capacity ofthe one or more backup power units to each of the one or more processingunits based at least in part on at least one of the backup power ratingor backup energy rating of the backup power units; and at least one ofthe peak power consumption or backup energy requirement of the one ormore processing units.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein: the one or moreprocessing units include first and second processing units; the backupcapacity includes a backup power rating of the one or more backup powerunits; the backup power profile includes a first peak power consumptionof the first processing unit and a second peak power consumption of thesecond processing unit, the first peak power consumption being higherthan the second peak power consumption; and assigning the portion of thebackup capacity includes assigning a first portion of the backupcapacity to the first processing unit and assigning a second portion ofthe backup capacity to the second processing unit, the first portionhaving a higher backup power rating than the second portion.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 wherein: the one or more processing units includefirst and second processing units; the backup capacity includes a backupenergy rating of the one or more backup power units; the backup powerprofile includes a first backup energy requirement of the firstprocessing unit and a second backup energy requirement of the secondprocessing unit, the first backup energy requirement being higher thanthe second backup energy requirement; and assigning the portion of thebackup capacity includes assigning a first portion of the backupcapacity to the first processing unit and assigning a second portion ofthe backup capacity to the second processing unit, the first portionhaving a higher backup energy rating than the second portion.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein: the one or more processing units includefirst and second processing units; the backup capacity includes a backuppower rating and a backup energy rating of the one or more backup powerunits; the backup power profile includes a first peak power consumptionand a first backup energy requirement of the first processing unit and asecond peak power consumption and a second backup energy requirement ofthe second processing unit, the first peak power consumption beinggreater than the second peak power consumption while the first backupenergy requirement being lower than the second backup energyrequirement; and assigning the portion of the backup capacity includesassigning a first portion of the backup capacity to the first processingunit and assigning a second portion of the backup capacity to the secondprocessing unit, the first portion having a higher backup power ratingbut a lower backup energy rating than the second portion.
 8. The methodof claim 1 wherein: the backup capacity includes a backup power ratingand a backup energy rating of the one or more backup power units; themethod further includes: receiving a request to adjust at least one ofthe backup power rating or backup energy rating assigned to one of theone or more processing units; and in response to the received request,re-assigning a portion of the backup capacity of the one or more backuppower units to the one or more processing units based on the receivedrequest.
 9. A computing device sharing one or more backup power unitswith additional one or more computing devices, the one or more backuppower units having a total backup capacity, the computing devicecomprising: a processor; and a memory operatively coupled to theprocessor, the memory containing instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to perform a process including: receivingdata indicating a backup capacity assigned to the computing device as ifthe computing device is directly connected to a backup power unit havingthe assigned backup capacity, the assigned backup capacity being aportion of the total backup capacity of the one or more backup powerunits; and in response to the received data, adjusting at least oneoperating characteristics of the computing device based on the receiveddata indicating the backup capacity assigned to the computing device.10. The computing device of claim 9 wherein receiving data includesreceiving data indicating at least one of a backup power rating or abackup energy rating of the portion of the backup capacity of the one ormore backup power units assigned to the computing device.
 11. Thecomputing device of claim 9 wherein adjusting at least one operatingcharacteristics of the processor or the memory includes at least one of:adjusting at least one of a clock frequency of the processor or a statusof acceptable task assignment to the computing device; initiating ashutdown sequence for the computing device; powering off the computingdevice; or committing cached data to the memory.
 12. The computingdevice of claim 9 wherein: the computing device further includes one ormore storage devices; and the process performed by the processor furtherincludes assigning a portion of the backup capacity assigned to thecomputing device to the processor, the memory, and to each of the one ormore storage devices.
 13. The computing device of claim 11 wherein theone or more storage devices include one or more solid state drivesand/or non-volatile dual in-line memory modules that do not includebuilt-in backup power source.
 14. The computing device of claim 11wherein adjusting at least one operating characteristics of theprocessor or the memory includes initiating a data write to at least oneof the one or more storage devices.
 15. The computing device of claim 11wherein: the assigned backup capacity is a first assigned backupcapacity; the process performed by the processor further includes:determining if the assigned first backup capacity is above a backupthreshold; in response to determining that the first backup capacity isnot above the backup threshold, transmitting a request to adjust thefirst assigned backup capacity; and in response to the transmittedrequest, receiving a second assigned backup capacity different than thefirst assigned backup capacity.
 16. The computing device of claim 15wherein adjusting at least one operating characteristics includesadjusting at least one operating characteristics of the processor or thememory based on the second assigned backup capacity.
 17. A computerreadable storage medium containing instructions that, when executed by acomputing processor, cause the computing processor to perform a processcomprising: receiving data indicating a total backup capacity of abackup power system having one or more batteries; receiving dataindicating a backup power profile from each of a plurality of computingdevices sharing the backup power system; for each of the plurality ofcomputing devices, assigning a backup capacity based on the receiveddata indicating the backup power profile, the determined backup capacitybeing a portion of the total backup capacity of the backup power system;and controlling power consumption of the individual computing devicesfrom the backup power system during a power failure based on theassigned backup capacity of the individual computing devices.
 18. Thecomputer readable storage medium of claim 17 wherein controlling thepower consumption includes limiting at least one of a peak powerconsumption, backup power energy, or a backup period.
 19. The computerreadable storage medium of claim 17 wherein: the total backup capacityis a first total backup capacity; the process further includes:receiving data indicating a second total backup capacity of the backuppower system having the one or more batteries, the second total backupcapacity being different than the first total backup capacity; and foreach of the plurality of computing devices, re-determining a backupcapacity based on the received data indicating the backup power profile,the re-determined backup capacity being a portion of the second totalbackup capacity of the backup power system.
 20. The computer readablestorage medium of claim 17 wherein the process further includes:detecting an additional computing device that shares the backup powersystem with the plurality of computing devices; receiving dataindicating a backup power profile of the detected additional computingdevice; and for each of the plurality of computing devices and thedetected additional computing device, re-determining a backup capacitybased on the received data indicating the backup power profile, thedetermined backup capacity being a portion of the total backup capacityof the backup power system.